flash advice please :)

Johnny Hormone · May 17, 2012

Hi all,

Just wondered if someone can give me a little advice.

I use a 30D still, and whilst I am tempted to head to a 7D, it isnt on the cards any time soon.

Anyhow, I mainly shoot football (soccer for our American friends), and as such I never use flash.

Now I am aware the on body flash is poor, and I particularly dislike the shadows behind a subject that occur when using it.

I need to shoot end of season awards, and realise the best way (it beig evening time and dark indoors), would be to bounce flash off the ceiling to get a more even light and less shadow.

Now this is a one off, I am not going to have regular use for a flash gun, and as such I want to spend the minimum to do the job adequately.

I am tempted by either a Jessops 360AFD or a Canon Speedlight 270EXII - both available at a shop close to where I am sat - one £69 and the other £109.

So, given the use it is needed for, would either these do a job for me at the weekend, or need I think again?

Many thanks for your advice,

Johnny

BryMills · May 17, 2012

The Jessops one will do you fine. It has a slighter greater range and will be more than adequate for one evening's work. It might be worth asking Jessops what the recycle time is - it's not quoted on the website. If someone is stood with a fixed grin on their face waiting for the flash to recharge it can seem like an eternity!

johnny_r · May 17, 2012

Do you have a local business where you can rent a Canon flash?

Regards,
John

Johnny Hormone · May 17, 2012

Hi,
Thanks for your replies.

I picked up the Jessops flash, and whilst it isn't the most robust item, it seems fine.

Have had a good play with it and for my needs it works very well. It recycles quickly enough with good rechargeable batteries too.

All in all a happy chappy, and maybe once I upgrade the body I will think about a better flash.

Cheers

Johnny

rsn48 · May 17, 2012

I own a number of flashes but the one I use the most is my Metz 24 AF-1. This flash is very comparable to the Canon 270. The best use of low power flashes and pop ups are for fill flash, in fact I don't know why anyone would consistently use flash on full power but that is just what most folks do.

I'm always reading here in the dpreview forums of advice to the newbie the admonition to get the biggest and best flash you can afford. And I know what is going to happen to that very expensive complex flash, it sits in the bag unused.

Having a light, low profile, easily manipulated flash for use as "fill" is really all most people need, just the kind of flash you bought. If you haven't gotten up and personal with your flash compensation option yet, its time to start.

--
"Photography is, indeed, an inclusive language."
Ansel Adams

Johnny Hormone · May 18, 2012

thanks for that, I had a good play and it does the job admirably.

have also started to explore the flash compensation

MisterPootieCat · May 18, 2012

You might enjoy this:

http://www.usa.canon.com/CUSA/assets/app/html/flash_class/classroom.html

rsn48 · May 18, 2012

This is a good video, but like many "at home" videos the presenter can be mouthy; so jump to one minute in this video to begin and you won't have missed a thing. However, even with this caveat it's still a decent tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZsIzK_Vl0o

--
"Photography is, indeed, an inclusive language."
Ansel Adams

ktownbill · May 18, 2012

It takes a powerful flash to do bounce-flash and it would run down your batteries rather quick. You also need a low ceiling and nearby walls. However you decide to use the flash, know that you can reduce the recycle time by increasing the ISO. The 30D, I would guess, has decent IQ at ISO400.

Johnny Hormone said:
Hi all,

Just wondered if someone can give me a little advice.

I use a 30D still, and whilst I am tempted to head to a 7D, it isnt on the cards any time soon.

Anyhow, I mainly shoot football (soccer for our American friends), and as such I never use flash.

Now I am aware the on body flash is poor, and I particularly dislike the shadows behind a subject that occur when using it.

I need to shoot end of season awards, and realise the best way (it beig evening time and dark indoors), would be to bounce flash off the ceiling to get a more even light and less shadow.

Now this is a one off, I am not going to have regular use for a flash gun, and as such I want to spend the minimum to do the job adequately.

I am tempted by either a Jessops 360AFD or a Canon Speedlight 270EXII - both available at a shop close to where I am sat - one £69 and the other £109.

So, given the use it is needed for, would either these do a job for me at the weekend, or need I think again?

Many thanks for your advice,

Johnny

--
img7d

Search

flash advice please :)

Johnny Hormone

Well-known member

BryMills

Well-known member

johnny_r

Well-known member

Johnny Hormone

Well-known member

rsn48

Veteran Member

Johnny Hormone

Well-known member

MisterPootieCat

Veteran Member

rsn48

Veteran Member

ktownbill

Senior Member

Keyboard shortcuts